MARK COLETTA'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN HULL: CHURCH WORKER PREDATOR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON YOUNG VICTIMS
In September 2021, a disturbing case emerged from Hull involving Mark Coletta, a 61-year-old man who exploited his position within a local church community to prey on vulnerable boys and young men.Coletta, who was known to many as a supportive figure, used his role as a church worker and support worker to manipulate and sexually abuse his victims, often offering money in an attempt to silence them.
Over a period spanning his 40s and 50s, Coletta committed multiple offenses, which included five counts of sexual assault involving three different males aged between 12 and 22 years old.
His address at the time of sentencing was listed as HMP Hull, indicating he was in custody during the proceedings.
Coletta had previously admitted to these offenses, and this week, he appeared before Hull Crown Court to face sentencing.
The first victim, a young boy aged just 11, was subjected to sexual assault by Coletta.
The incident began with Coletta massaging the boy’s legs, claiming it was to relieve pain, but the situation escalated when Coletta engaged in sexual acts with the boy and coerced him into performing a sexual act in return.
The victim later expressed feelings of shame and guilt, stating in a victim impact statement, “I am struggling to put into words what he has done to me.
I feel somehow ashamed and guilty.
Before this happened I had such a good relationship with him.
He was a nice man when he was not doing this stuff.
It has affected me growing up and with my relationships.
I don’t trust people now and spend a lot of time alone.” Another victim, whom Coletta had known since childhood, recounted how their relationship included outings such as swimming and trips to Fort Paull.
However, the victim also described disturbing incidents when staying at Coletta’s house, where he would wake up to find his clothing disturbed or items undone.
When he was around 12, he reported waking up to find Coletta touching his bottom.
As he grew older, at 16 or 17, he woke to find Coletta touching him inappropriately.
Coletta later offered the victim money—£120 initially, then a larger sum of £2,500—to keep quiet about the abuse.
The victim expressed his feelings in a statement, saying, “I feel disgusted and angry.
I find it difficult to sleep and smoke weed to help me.
I feel Mark has destroyed every good memory I had in my childhood.
He was the only one who cared for me and then he did this.
It has affected all my relationships and I don’t trust anyone.
He was the closest thing I had to a dad and he destroyed everything.
I now do not miss people.
They come and go and I don’t care.
I have gone cold.” The third victim, also known to Coletta as a child who often sought refuge at his home, was 22 and homeless at the time of the incident.
He stayed at Coletta’s residence, where he was awakened to find Coletta grinding and touching him.
The victim pushed Coletta away and left the premises, distressed by the encounter.
In sentencing, Coletta received a prison term of 36 months for the three counts of sexual assault against the first boy.
For the sexual assault of the second victim, he was sentenced to nine months, and for the assault on the third victim, he received 12 months.
Additionally, Coletta will be registered on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the severity and ongoing nature of his criminal conduct.
